California American Viticultural Area's

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List of Wineries in Fair Play Viticultural Area

The Fair Play AVA, created in April of 2001, is located completely within the El Dorado AVA and El Dorado County. The AVA covers 21,120 acres and is a home to Zinfandel grape along with the Rhone and Italian varietals. Fair Play is between the 2000 and 3500-feet in elevation and is truly the home mountain grapes. This fact makes for a cooler wine-growing region with a shorter growing day than some of its neighbors. The 24 wineries located completely within this AVA can be found in this section.

Barkley Homestead Winery - Fair Play, California

The WineryThe Barkley Homestead & Winery is located on a 67 acres estate in the Fair Play AVA of El Dorado County. The tasting room is surrounded by vineyards, pastures, gardens and ponds. The site also offers a Bed and Breakfast with six uniquely decorated guest rooms for those that want to stay in the region, as well as extensive event facilities.

The WinemakerShaun Wilhelm owns and operates the Barkley Homestead Historic Inn and Event facility and acts as the winemaker at the estate as well.

The WineryTed and Andrea Bechard purchased their estate in 2001. The winery site is in the Somerset area, near the North fork of Cosumnes River. Although the facilities are still under construction, the winery will arrange tours and tastings upon request.

The WinemakerWhile working and traveling in France and Spain, the Bechard’s developed a love of wine and winemaking. After they returned to the States, they spent time working in the Napa Valley, obtaining valuable experience. This started the quest for land to build their own winery, which eventually led them to the Fair Play AVA.

The WineryBusby is a small, but modern facility and is one of the northern most wineries in the Fair Play AVA. The winery site is on a small knoll with beautiful views of the picturesque countryside.

The WinemakerHusband and wife Sherrie and Elliott Graham are the owners of Busby Cellars. Elliott has taken on the winemaking duties, focusing on brining out the varietal characteristics and taste of terroir from the estate’s mountain grown grapes.

The WineryThe El Dorado County estate offers tasting by appointment only. The tasting room and is located on beautiful park-like grounds in Shenandoah Valley is described in the Amador County section of this guide. A creek flows through the picnic area complete with waterfalls and a pond stocked with koi.

The WinemakerChaim Gur-Arieh and his wife Elisheva are the co-owners of the C.G. di Arie Vineyard with Chaim taking on the winemaking duties. Chaim is an inventor and scientist by trade and before becoming a winemaker, was best known for the invention of Captain Crunch cereal and Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing.

The WineryThe Winery Cantiga Wineworks, founded by Rich & Christine Rorden, specializes in classically styled wines suited to the dinner table, and to extended cellaring. The tasting room is located on Highway E16 just south of the intersection of Buck’s Bar Road, Grizzly Flat Road and E16. Cantiga's new Estate tasting room, scheduled to open some time in 2008, is located 1/2 mile down Grizzly Flat Road,...

The WineryCedarville winery was completed in the year 2000 as a 5500 sq ft facility in the Fair Play area. By building underground caves for wine storage, and by constructing the accompanying buildings in the side of the hill, the winemakers are afforded great control over temperature throughout the winemaking process.

The WinemakerJonathan Lacks and Susan Marks are both graduates of UC Davis with majors in Enology. After working for years in Silicon Valley, the couple moved to the Fair Play area where they have been producing their own wines since 1998.

The WineryChalet Fleur de Lys is located in the Fair Play area. The tasting room, like many of the boutique size wineries in the area, is located in the barrel room. The owners, Robert and Mireille Lajoie started with the purchase of 20 acres in 1996, and later purchased additional property on beautiful Perry Creek Road, where the winery is now located.

The WinemakerRobert and Mireille were originally from Montreal and came to the United States in 1971, finally ending up in Coloma. They both had a love of agriculture, and after spending time working for both Windwalker and Perry Creek Vineyards, they planted their first grapes and began their career in winemaking.

The WineryBob and Sheila Routon purchased the estate property in 1995 to use for a horse ranch, but kept an eye towards growing grapes. Located on a wonderful hilltop, the tasting room has a large deck with incredible views across the scenic vineyards to the Sierra peaks in the distance.

The WinemakerWhen the Routon’s started their search for a winemaker, they did it with an eye to making great Port style wines. Their efforts brought them to Jim Olsen, a winemaker with 30 years of experience making Port style wines.

The WineryThe Colibri Ridge Winery is located inside a small barn-like structure, which is a combined tasting and aging room. Colibri means “hummingbird” in French, a theme found throughout the winery. Inside the tasting room, there is a selection of gifts available for sale, as well as a selection of the Colibri wines. The view of the foothills from the small picnic area is exceptional.

The WinemakerJohn Alexander is the owner and winemaker at Colibri Ridge. If your travels bring you there on a weekend, you are likely to have the good fortune to meet and discuss his winemaking with him personally.

The WineryThe winery is built on a picturesque oak covered hilltop, with a scenic outdoor picnic area that includes picnic tables. The tasting room has been beautifully decorated in a light colored wood, and includes several oak barrels and a large bar area. As well as their award winning wines, there is a gift shop that sells some attractive accessories. The winery is known for its ‘wine future’...

The WinemakerNorman Saley is the in-house winemaker at Charles B. Mitchell. He works with consulting winemaker Allen Kreutzer of Drytown Cellars. Mr. Kreutzer consults with a number of wineries in the Sierra Foothills in addition to operating his own boutique winery.

The WineryThe winery is located on top of a ridge on the southern end of El Dorado County in the Fair Play AVA. The tasting room is light and airy, done in a modern style, and sells gourmet food items, artwork, photography, and children’s clothes, as well as the wine.

The WinemakerThe winemaker at dkcellars is Dave Pratt. He and wife Kim became interested in the area when attending an El Dorado County Passport weekend and purchased the estate in 1997. While learning the winemaking trade, Dave mentored with other local winemakers and now produces award winning wines with each new vintage.

The WineryFitzpatrick, built in 1980, was the first winery established in the Fair Play area. There is a beautiful mountain lodge attached to the tasting room that offers overnight accommodations and serves food on weekends. The tasting room sells deli cheeses, meats, crackers, soft drinks, beer and condiments every day the winery is open. There is a wonderful selection of Irish gifts and music offered...

The WinemakerBrian Fitzpatrick started as first a home beer brewer and then a home winemaker and viticulturist. His passion for the craft drove him to his entry into the professional winemaking arena.

The WineryThe winery was founded by the Russell family in 1981 and was later purchased by the Latchams, another Fair Play wine family. The tasting room has many awards hanging from the ceiling and walls, attesting to the quality of their products. It’s a very pleasant place to spend an hour or so tasting and talking about the wines with the friendly and knowledgeable staff.

The WinemakerThe managing winemaker for Granite Springs is Italian born Ruggiero Mastraserio. Ruggiero is also the winemaker at Granite Spring’s sister winery, Latcham Vineyards. He is committed to making wines true to his Italian heritage and regularly consults with winemakers located in his homeland.

The WineryIverson sits atop a beautiful knoll on the 32 acre estate surrounded on three sides by vineyards. The tasting room has an inviting veranda on the front, with white wicker chairs to enjoy the view. Near the tasting room is a group of patio tables that offer expansive local and foothill views. Inside, the winery offers gourmet food items and wine gifts for sale.

The WinemakerRich Gilpin, owner and winemaker at Lavender Ridge in Calaveras County, is the winemaker at Iverson Vineyards. He is a well known consulting winemaker in the region, working with several other local wineries as well.

The WineryLatcham Vineyards, established in 1981, sits in a pastoral setting snuggled amongst the oaks and vineyards. On a lawn area just outside of the tasting room there are picnic tables and several benches to enjoy the scenery. The tasting room is done in a western style with lots of wood and charm to match.

The WinemakerThe managing winemaker for Latcham (as well as Granite Springs) is Italian born Ruggiero Mastraserio. He is committed to making wines true to his Italian heritage, and regularly consults with winemakers located in his homeland.

The WineryLocated on of a mountain top near the small town of Fair Play, Mount Aukum Winery has a fantastic, nearly 360 degree view that includes Sacramento, Mount Diablo, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the surrounding Foothill region. The winery offers barrel sampling and outdoor picnicking, so take some time to relax on the patio, drink in the view, and drink in some of Mount Aukum’s award winning...

The WinemakerLance Campbell, originally from Texas, first discovered wine as a bartender in San Francisco. He later learned the winemaking trade at Chateau St. Jean and Seghesio. When he and his wife Brandie found this mountaintop in 2001, Lance encouraged other family members to join in his dream and the Mount Aukum Winery was created.

The WineryMV is a new winery in the Fair Play region with a lot to offer to the wine tourist. The estate is set in the rolling oak woodland and pine forests of southern El Dorado County. The cozy new tasting room, with its high ceilings and natural light, enjoys scenic views of the estate. A larger tasting facility is in the planning stages amidst the towering pines and oaks near a seasonal stream along...

The WinemakerJohn Miller started as a wine collector and later a home wine maker with a love of fine wines. After purchasing the estate in Fair Play he began working with such locally popular winemakers as Lance Campbell and Marco Cappelli. John believes that to make a great wine you must use the best grapes and age in the best barrels available, utilizing primarily new...

The WineryFounded in 1997 at the 2500-foot elevation, the winery takes its name from the black oak that is growing out of a huge grinding rock on the estate grounds. Carrying the oak theme, the beautifully designed tasting bar is made of a solid oak slab. Near the namesake grinding stone is a beautiful picnic area for relaxing in the shade of the oaks on a warm foothill afternoon.

The WinemakerDividing the two wineries between the larger producing, more mainstream Oakstone, and the lesser- known Obscurity, seemed the perfect way to highlight the minor varietals in a setting more specific to their market share. Winemaker and Proprietor, John Smith, earned his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and worked as a developer of scientific and medical...

The WineryObscurity Cellars is the second winery in addition to Oakstone owned by John and Susan Smith. Having a second winery enabled the Smiths to showcase their lesser-known grape varieties in a low key format. Selected Obscurity wines are available for tasting and sale on Saturday and Sunday in the Oakstone Winery tasting room.

The WinemakerDividing the two wineries between the larger producing, more mainstream Oakstone, and the lesser- known Obscurity, seemed the perfect way to highlight the minor varietals in a setting more specific to their market share. Winemaker and Proprietor, John Smith, earned his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and worked as a developer of scientific and medical...

The WineryA chance trip through the foothill town of Fair Play resulted in the creation of one of the Fair Play area’s most well known wineries. Michael Chazen fell in love with the Fair Play area and found a 155-acre estate to call home. Perry Creek Vineyards sits on a ridge top looking down over the Cosumnes River. The winery and tasting room facilities are done in the old California mission style and...

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Perry Creek Vineyards is Joseph Flemate. He joined Perry Creek in 2006 after a career in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. He shares the management of the winery with operations manager Stefan Tscheppe from Austria, and winemaker and viticulturist Garrett Buckland from the Napa and Sonoma regions of California.

The WineryLocated on 80 acres the estate is on a portion of a pioneer era ranch that dates back to the 1880’s. The tasting room is located in the remodeled farmhouse, and features great use of the original wood. The tasting bar has the upscale feel of an old west bar, but with modern amenities. The original farm outbuildings have been preserved as they have stood for decades. The inviting picnic area,...

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Shadow Ranch is Sam Patterson. Sam has a Viticulture and Enology degree from the University of California at Davis, as well as a degree in business. He has worked as a viticulturist and vineyard manager in the Napa Valley, Carneros, Amador and El Dorado, wine regions before coming to the Fair Play AVA to produce his own grapes and create...

The WinerySierra Oaks Estates has no public access at its winery and vineyard site, but does maintain a tasting room at, what locals call, Gray’s corner; better known as the intersection of Mount Aukum and Fair Play roads. The facility itself is long and narrow, with a long tasting bar that can handle numerous tasters at the same time. They are also able to offer barrel tasting on site by bringing casks...

The WinemakerJim and Toshi Brown are both retirees from Bay Area business careers. Jim was a home wine maker who decided to try his hand first as a viticulturist, and then as a commercial winemaker.

The WinerySingle Leaf Vineyard & Winery completed their winemaking facility in 1992. Scott and Pam Miller opened the facility to the public for tasting in 1993. The tasting room has a Foothill style flare to it, with a beautiful view of the vineyards and local area off the patio.

The WinemakerThe winemaker, Scott Miller, has a Masters degree in Biology. In his studies, he developed an interest in fermentation science that led to a quest to understand the wine industry and its products. This quest led to the discovery of the Zinfandel varietal and the natural move to the California Zin country.

The WineryThis is another in a growing number of wineries with incredible built in wine caves. The caves at Toogood are 5000 square feet and include a beautiful, modern tasting room. The other interesting feature of the cave is a dining room that can be engaged for special occasions. Although wine caves are fun, they are much more than a mere gimmick, helping the wines to age slowly at a consistent...

The WinemakerMarco Capelli, the wine maker at Toogood has a degree in Enology. He also gained experience at Louis Martini in St Helena, one year in Italian wineries and six months in France. He worked in Carneros and Oakville prior to moving to the Foothills.

The WineryThe winery is located on a little knoll surrounded by giant oak trees and vineyards in the rolling hills of the Fair Play AVA. The drive to the tasting room has a definite whimsical feel with all of the yellow wooden shoes and Dutch highlights decorating the fences and gates. The tasting room is small and nicely done with a Northern European flare. The feel may be whimsical, but don't let that...

The WinemakerRobert Van der Vijver was born and raised in the Netherlands, and spent much of his earlier years traveling throughout European wine country. He works to make his wines in the style and flavor of the regions where those varietals and blends originated, including his Merlot, which is more in the French style than Napa.

The WineryThe tasting room is very bright and cheery with high ceilings and tile floors. They offer some really nice wine style home decor for sale along with their wonderful wine selection. The exterior of the building represents a very Sierra Foothill style architecture with two large deck areas that offer picnic facilities. The grounds are quite pleasant, with a small pond surrounded by vineyards.

The WinemakerThe winery was recently purchased from the Gilpin family by Jim and Alanna Taff. The Taffs have engaged winemaker Dominic Mantei to create the wines of Windwalker.

The WineryWinery by the Creek is known for two things: incredible wine caves and a wide selection of wine. The caves, attached to the tasting room, contain not only a wonderful art collection, but also about 250 to 300 barrels of aging wine. The winery, like the Fair Play Bistro located next door, is owned by Charles B. Mitchell.

The WinemakerCharles Mitchell, who grew up in the winegrowing regions of France, is the winemaker at Winery by the Creek. He is heavily influenced by the homemaking of his home country, producing wines in the European style.